Galápagos entry requirements, and the card you cannot board without

Entering the Galápagos means clearing a short list of mandatory requirements. Get them wrong and the problem surfaces at the airport, not on the boat.

There are two entry fees: the Transit Control Card (TCT) and the National Park Entrance Fee. There is biosecurity screening, and a biosecurity declaration form to complete before your flight. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your expected return date.

Yellow fever vaccination proof is required if you have spent more than 10 days in transit or visiting Peru, Colombia, Bolivia or Brazil before arriving in Ecuador. This applies regardless of nationality or residency.

Source: Galápagos Shark Diving's 2025 travel guide, updated June 2025.